Gerald Gredesky

Gerald A. Gredesky, 65, Fairmount, ND, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2015 at his home. The Funeral Service will be Wednesday, March 11, 2PM, at Willow Creek Chapel, Wahpeton. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 5 PM to 7 PM also at Willow Creek Chapel and one hour before the service on Wednesday. Arrangements have been entrusted with Vertin-Munson Funeral Home, Wahpeton.

Gerald "Jerry" Gredesky was born on August 28, 1949, in Washington, PA. He grew up in Northfield, OH, and graduated from Nordonia High School in 1967.

On the suggestion of his high school counselor, he attended the North Dakota School of Forestry in Bottineau, ND, from 1967-1970 earning an AS degree in forestry.
He and Toni were married on his birthday, August 28, 1971. He always joked that the only birthday card he got that day was from his mother. He then attended NDSU in Fargo, ND, graduating in 1973 with a BS degree in horticulture. He began working for Doug Campbell at Shotwell's Greenhouse in Fargo and sold plants to florist shops around North Dakota.

In 1980 Jerry and Toni and their young daughters, Allison and Megan moved to Daytona Beach, FL, so he could work in his father's drapery business. But North Dakota called them back, and in 1982 they settled in Fairmount, ND. He began working at 3M, later Imation, in 1983. In 2006, he left Imation and began installing blinds for Northwest Blinds in Moorhead. In 2009 he began substituting as the rural mail carrier in Fairmount and became the full-time carrier in 2010.

Jerry's love of antiques began when he and Toni were first married. They often made the rounds to all the shops in the Fargo area and beyond, becoming good friends with many dealers. Many people got "hooked" on collecting antiques listening to Jerry's animated stories about surprising finds and adventures. His enthusiasm "rubbed off" on his good friend, Gordon Bradbury. When they began buying and selling old bicycles, Gordy had cards printed, dubbing them the "Two Wheel Nuts." However, their escapades were not limited to bicycles, and they proudly saw themselves as the original "American Pickers."

Jerry's greatest accomplishments began with the birth of his daughters Allison in 1976, followed by Megan in 1979. His love and support for them have been unwavering. He loved watching them in school activities and was so proud of their successes as adults. He loved buying "the girls" and Toni antique jewelry for Christmas, birthdays, and Valentine's Day. His dedication and love for Toni was extraordinary. He often looked at her as if she were still the 21-year-old he married. Jerry's sense of humor was infectious and after 43 years of marriage, he could still make Toni laugh.

Jerry quietly did many kind things for others like buying clothes for a needy child or a bus ticket for a destitute woman.



Jerry is survived by his wife, Toni, Fairmount, ND; daughters Allison, Minneapolis, MN; Megan and fiancé, Dean Keesey, Oakland, CA; one brother Thomas (Doris), Cherry Hill, NJ; nephews Todd, Joseph, Andrew, Cody, Jason, Zach and Luke, and nieces Carolyn, Shonda, Shannon, Klista, and Kelsey; sister-in-law, Debbie Marmon, Miles City, MT; and brother-in-law, Duane Morinville, Dunseith, ND; and many loyal friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Alma, and sister-in-law, Beverly Azure.